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Jury Finds Zarate Not Guilty in the Death of Kate Steinle

A jury on Thursday found Jose Ines Garcia Zarate not guilty in the death of Kate Steinle, a case that sparked a nationwide debate on immigration. Garcia Zarate, a Mexican man who was in the United States illegally, shot Steinle on a San Francisco pier in 2015. Sam Brock and Ian Cull report. (Published Friday, Dec. 1, 2017)

The killing of Kate Steinle on a San Francisco pier in July 2015, and the charging of a Mexican man who had been deported five times, prompted an immigration debate that became part of last year's presidential election.

"This man, or this animal, that shot that wonderful, that beautiful woman in San Francisco, this guy was pushed back by Mexico," Donald Trump told CNN in July 2015 shortly after announcing his candidacy. "Mexico pushes back people across the border that are criminals, that are drug dealers."

"A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration," Trump tweeted Thursday night.

Friday morning, Trump continued his criticism of the verdict, calling it a "complete travesty of justice" and adding, "BUILD THE WALL!"

U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., tweeted that "California's dangerous sanctuary cities policy cost #KateSteinle her life & gave her no justice."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions released the following statement:

"When jurisdictions choose to return criminal aliens to the streets rather than turning them over to federal immigration authorities, they put the public’s safety at risk. San Francisco’s decision to protect criminal aliens led to the preventable and heartbreaking death of Kate Steinle. While the State of California sought a murder charge for the man who caused Ms. Steinle’s death—a man who would not have been on the streets of San Francisco if the city simply honored an ICE detainer—the people ultimately convicted him of felon in possession of a firearm. The Department of Justice will continue to ensure that all jurisdictions place the safety and security of their communities above the convenience of criminal aliens. I urge the leaders of the nation’s communities to reflect on the outcome of this case and consider carefully the harm they are doing to their citizens by refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement officers."

A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.

The Kate Steinle killer came back and back over the weakly protected Obama border, always committing crimes and being violent, and yet this info was not used in court. His exoneration is a complete travesty of justice. BUILD THE WALL!

I am disappointed and angry at the not guilty verdict for Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, an illegal alien who had several felony convictions & was deported from the US five times. Justice must be served for Kate Steinle. https://t.co/IxiL9WCU50

California's dangerous sanctuary cities policy cost #KateSteinle her life & gave her no justice. Thankful to join @POTUS in the fight to strengthen our immigration laws & ensure this never happens again. https://t.co/KjQGWofTlf

Such an insane recent news cycle, and now this?? Outrageous “not guilty” verdict in murder case of Kate Steinle. The illegal alien who shot her was just given more rights, grace and favor than the devastated Steinle family. San Francisco is NOT a safe place. - SP